Coach in Focus - Annie Page

Welcome to our brand new segment 'Coach in Focus' where we aim to highlight the good work of coaches across Bedfordshire. First up, running coach Annie Page.

After 15 years of near inactivity Annie Page wanted to get fit again. Now an ultra distance runner and endurance running coach at Ampthill & Flitwick Flyers, she wants to help others do the same.

"For me it's all about working with people who are new to the sport and helping them get to a point where they are able to enter their first run.

"So many people think you have to be experienced or almost at an Olympic level to join a club. I say if you can walk to the post box and back then you can join. Yes, there are some fast whippets but there are also people who want to come and be sociable", explained Annie.

Annie has been coaching since 2005 and holds a UK Athletics Level 2 qualification, which was funded by her club after she expressed an interest in giving something back.

In her day job Annie, through her business Essentii, works with clubs across a range of sports to help them reach their full potential by encouraging them to operate more like a business. Her work also carries over into helping athletes develop the mental strength for success, something she carries into her coaching, she said: "It's good for people to understand what they are doing so they can find their own improvements. There are a lot of books about running but it's about understanding yourself better so you can be the best you can be."

Annie cites cake as one of her key motivators but with the Oxon 40 mile run coming up in May it may take more than a slither of Battenburg to keep her going, she explains: "I break the distance down. For longer runs or even a 5k I don't look at the whole thing. I think about getting the first mile out the way and go from there."

Like many women across the UK, Annie has got involved with Sport England's #thisgirlcan campaign, she said: "I love it. It breaks down the barriers and basically says if you want to do it go out and do it."

If you would like to be featured as the next 'Coach of the month' please get in touch with Sian Davies sian@teambedsandluton.co.uk